Congressional Medal of Honor Citations for Actions Taken This Day August 6... PFC William Henry Thompson (16 August 1927 – 6 August 1950) was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States militarys highest decoration, the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Korean War. Born to a single mother in an impoverished neighborhood in New York City, Thompson entered the Army in 1945 and served tours in Alaska and Japan. At the outbreak of the Korean War, Thompson was a machine gunner of the U.S. 24th Infantry Regiment, a de facto segregated unit. During the Battle of Masan in August 1950, Thompson was part of a unit conducting an offensive along the Pusan Perimeter. When North Korean troops attacked his company and caused many men to panic and scatter, Thompson stood his ground, refusing orders to evacuate despite being wounded, and covering the retreat of his platoon until he was killed by a grenade. For his actions, Thompson was awarded the Medal of Honor and Purple Heart .William Thompson Born 16 August 1927 New York City, New York Died 6 August 1950 (aged 22) Haman, South Korea Place of burial Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, New York Allegiance United States of America Service/branch United States Army Years of service 1945 – 1947, 1948 - 1950 Rank Private First Class Service number 42259324[1] Unit 24th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division Battles/wars Korean War Awards Medal of Honor Purple Heart RIP...
Posted on: Thu, 07 Aug 2014 02:30:52 +0000
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